New Mic Preamp from Black Lion Audio

[vrockob]

Check it out
Black Lion Audio Auteur Mic Preamp

[peeder]

Funny...they include an entire paragraph on Word clock...in a mic preamp page!

...But nary a word about a return policy...

[vrockob]

Yeah not a very celebrating anouncement but still curious about it. I got an email from the and the price is 325 they also said they would sell the Sparrow at a discounted direct price.

[Isle of Weight]

sounds interesting to me!!


AA

[Coyoteous]

- no pictures?

[jimj166]

Funny...they include an entire paragraph on Word clock...in a mic preamp page!

Yes, it was a long day today, that has since been omitted.

We should have some photos up tomorrow and clips very soon as well. It is a 2 channel mic pre.

[SKyflash34]

Any plans to do an 8 channel ADAT interface? I just had my PJ Mix modded
(which sounds AWESOME BTW) and I'll be looking for something that equals
in sound quality. Are there any 8 channel ADAT preamps you guys have mods for?
anything you might suggest?

[JustinAiken]

I emailed you guys yesterday... still waiting for my invoice to buy a mod :D

[burilius]

Not only did Jules personally ask you to drop it, we all want you to as well. It's rare a small company like this comes around, and you want them to be Guitar Center or Sweetwater. Are you seriously so O.C.D. that you can't drop it? We are smart. We get it. You have issues with small business policy and can't let it go. Is every company supposed to list every policy on every page? It's somewhere between your own inability to move on in life/beating a dead already beaten horse that's been killed and repeatedly beaten already/nitpicking (of which there is already too much of on GS). I think that is why you are my hero. Seriously. I want a poster of you on my wall in my bedroom...maybe my ceiling. hahahaha

p.s. I think we need more small companies like this popping up and less whining and nitpicking.

[Chrisc_o]

Originally Posted by burilius

Not only did Jules personally ask you to drop it, we all want you to as well. It's rare a small company like this comes around, and you want them to be Guitar Center or Sweetwater.... I think we need more small companies like this popping up and less whining and nitpicking.

I agree. Peeder: I love most your posts and agree with your opinion most of the time, but your comments here were quite OT and really not helpful or necessary. Nothing personal.

Now, where are them pictures?

[warhead]

...

[joeshambro]

I'm a little sad to see it's AC powered -- they're missing a huge chance at the field recording market with a preamp that affordable, if it were DC powered.

[peeder]

Most pro audio direct-sellers and resellers offer cost-free return policies. Mercenary's used to be "anything reasonable" and got shaved down to a month. Musician's Friend is 45 days after shipment.

Black Lion Audio apparently has an issue with return policies. May I suggest that the reason for that is their entire business is based on a psychological phenomenon called confirmation bias. Coupled with an online peer-pressure marketing thrust (and knock yourselves out, it doesn't affect me ).

They don't have the confidence in their products (or, perhaps, their customers) to offer the return policy that is industry standard. In fact when they got a couple fringe resellers I remember those resellers either did not offer return policies or offered highly restrictive ones (like only a couple of days, and/or restocking fee).

One net result of this policy is it prevents anyone unbiased who actually has enough experience and equipment to compare with to evaluate the product line. And that is certainly one of their goals.

[Plush]

The Black Lion clocks are not compatible with some AES and SPDIF receivers. Their clock is not universal. Therefore I say the design is flawed. Until they correct this problem, I cannot even consider listening to their mic amp.

[Coyoteous]

- interested in the pre, but since the clocking has come up, what's the deal with these specs on the Sparrow?

Dynamic range, Converter: 120dB
Dynamic range, Analog: 33dB
SNR: -110dB
Slew rate, Analog: approx 6000v/us, depending upon input signal strength
Max analog input before digital clipping: +10dBu
Min analog input necessary for digital output: -20dBu
Inputs: Balanced, TRS
Outputs: SPDIF, AES-EBU
Sampling rates: 44.1kHz-192kHz
Bit rate: 24 bit

[peeder]

Originally Posted by Coyoteous

- interested in the pre, but since the clocking has come up, what's the deal with these specs on the Sparrow?

Dynamic range, Converter: 120dB
Dynamic range, Analog: 33dB
SNR: -110dB
Slew rate, Analog: approx 6000v/us, depending upon input signal strength
Max analog input before digital clipping: +10dBu
Min analog input necessary for digital output: -20dBu
Inputs: Balanced, TRS
Outputs: SPDIF, AES-EBU
Sampling rates: 44.1kHz-192kHz
Bit rate: 24 bit

I've asked many times and there will never be an answer. dfegad

[WKG]

Originally Posted by burilius

Not only did Jules personally ask you to drop it, we all want you to as well. It's rare a small company like this comes around, and you want them to be Guitar Center or Sweetwater. Are you seriously so O.C.D. that you can't drop it? We are smart. We get it. You have issues with small business policy and can't let it go. Is every company supposed to list every policy on every page? It's somewhere between your own inability to move on in life/beating a dead already beaten horse that's been killed and repeatedly beaten already/nitpicking (of which there is already too much of on GS).

p.s. I think we need more small companies like this popping up and less whining and nitpicking.

I agree. I have had Black Lion do the Tweakhead and the Signature Series upgrade on my 003r. Excellent work and I wouldn't hesitate a minute to do it again. I happen to have the new preamp as well and will get a chance to put it through the paces in the next few days. They are a great small company who strive hard and are dedicated to bringing high quality products into the reach of their customers.

My experience has been nothing but stellar with their products, service and their policies. Not everyone can be a GC, Sweetwater or an Apogee, and that's not a bad thing....

[Killah_Trakz]

Originally Posted by WKG

I agree. I have had Black Lion do the Tweakhead and the Signature Series upgrade on my 003r. Excellent work and I wouldn't hesitate a minute to do it again. I happen to have the new preamp as well and will get a chance to put it through the paces in the next few days. They are a great small company who strive hard and are dedicated to bringing high quality products into the reach of their customers.

My experience has been nothing but stellar with their products, service and their policies. Not everyone can be a GC, Sweetwater or an Apogee, and that's not a bad thing....

Please DO SO!

I want to grab this pre also.

[AudioFocus]

Can somebody please explain to me why so many people on GS are so set on bashing BLA. I've personally owned MOTU and DIGIDESIGN gear modified by them. The proof is in the pudding, I've tested them side by side and there is a clear improvement on the 002r and 896HD. I am just as happy mixing on my modded 002r as I am with an HD rig (as far as sound quality is concerned).

Keep up the good work over there at BLA.

[jimj166]

Some more info on the pre for you guys. Sound clips and some photos are up. More to come soon.
Black Lion Audio Auteur Mic Preamp

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention......There is a 15 day return policy

[peeder]

Originally Posted by jimj166

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention......There is a 15 day return policy

Where? In writing. Where?

[voiceactor]

Right at the bottom of the page.

Our Auteur Mic Preamp can be purchased direct from us for $325.00 + shipping
Return Policy - 15 days
Contact us at 773-549-1885
Or send us an email

[burilius]

...it's both written in the post to which you (already read and) responded and on their website.

Also, I agree, what's up with all the bashing on these posts instead of hearing/trying it first, or even reading people's websites? How about asking some questions directly, or even hearing what a product does before making unmedicated accusations. That kind of ranting shouldn't be done on forums, it should be done with a professional, for an hour a week, in tandem with proper prescriptions. Btw, is there any sort of refund for the time I wasted reading impersonal vendetta posts I would have otherwise skipped had I known?

[Heartfelt]

Has anyone compared the clips yet?

[jeremy.c.]

Originally Posted by burilius

...it's both written in the post to which you (already read and) responded and on their website.

Also, I agree, what's up with all the bashing on these posts instead of hearing/trying it first, or even reading people's websites? How about asking some questions directly, or even hearing what a product does before making unmedicated accusations. That kind of ranting shouldn't be done on forums, it should be done with a professional, for an hour a week, in tandem with proper prescriptions. Btw, is there any sort of refund for the time I wasted reading impersonal vendetta posts I would have otherwise skipped had I known?

Agreed.
There seems to be a lack of confirmation on a belief in confirmation bias... or something.
It's almost insulting (this is the interwebs though, so I say almost) to be told that I wasted my money and I'm deluding myself because I can't admit to wasting my money by someone who hasn't even heard what I hear. Just drop the crusade man, you shouldn't take this so personally and I'm a grown up and I can make (bad) decisions without your help. I can believe that you may be a better recordist than me and I may be able to accept you have better ears than I do, but I can't accept you're hearing something in my gear I'm not hearing. And if you've ever used an M Audio 1814 and then find it even listenable after mods, well, the proof is in that pudding.

[apeak]

I had my Motu 896HD modded by BLA and I'm happy with the work they did. I also own a Vintech X73. I took a quick listen to the two audio samples and the low midrange of the Vintech is missing from the Auteur (which is not a problem - the lowmids can get a little overwhelming at times when the Vintech is used on multiple tracks). The upper end sounds comparable though. One problem I noticed is that there is a soft crackle/static noise when the guitar sustains a chord on the Auteur sample. I'm not going to speculate on what's causing the noise. BLA guys, you might want to re-do the Auteur sample. Best of luck. I'll place an order if you can assure me that the noise is not beign generated by the pre.


Tony

[SKyflash34]

Originally Posted by burilius

...it's both written in the post to which you (already read and) responded and on their website.

Also, I agree, what's up with all the bashing on these posts instead of hearing/trying it first, or even reading people's websites? How about asking some questions directly, or even hearing what a product does before making unmedicated accusations. That kind of ranting shouldn't be done on forums, it should be done with a professional, for an hour a week, in tandem with proper prescriptions. Btw, is there any sort of refund for the time I wasted reading impersonal vendetta posts I would have otherwise skipped had I known?

And just sent out in an updated email I just got.

I mean really, I love my modded Project Mix. Their work is even covered for 2 YEARS
and I seriously doubt it will need anything for years after that. I wouldn't go after
Black Lion Audio for conspiracy theories. They've basically shown that some of the
bigger names are full of sh*t. The bottom line is that provide quality products and
services at VERY reasonable prices. I know Matt used to work in government aviation
but come on!

[PMoshay]

The Auter sounds very good, more rich low end and low mids. Seems to impart a bit more dynamic range than the Vintech does as well. I have a Vintech 473 so i'm familiar with them.

Some people may not want a pre that sounds that "Warm" (i dare say)...... it may make your recordings wooly if you don't do some filtering, although it may fare well an a drum kit......?

I'd like to try 8 of them in a side by side vs my True P8 or AMEK on drums.......... or my absolute new favorite pre for everything the JM-130 from JMK Audio

Drums are a good acid test as they give you a full spectrum to test as well as transient response......... get a great drummer to play and record a bit.

I'd offer up to do a 8ch side by side shootout with some 8 ch recording sessions to post..... I got a great kit and i'll have Mickey Curry or Sean Pelton do the bangin!

[WKG]

Originally Posted by apeak

One problem I noticed is that there is a soft crackle/static noise when the guitar sustains a chord on the Auteur sample. I'm not going to speculate on what's causing the noise. BLA guys, you might want to re-do the Auteur sample. Best of luck. I'll place an order if you can assure me that the noise is not beign generated by the pre.


Tony

I am hearing it on both samples, it's not just the Auteur.

[eddierodriguez]

Originally Posted by WKG

I am hearing it on both samples, it's not just the Auteur.

exactly


i like the auteur in type of sound/clarity more than the vintech, and the price is awesome. but only 2 channels... do an 8-channel rackversion too.

BLA, how about a tube-pre?